Cutter head for mining machines



Dec. 28 1926.

C. W. SHANABERGER CUTTER Hfi AD FOR MINING MACHINES Filed March 17. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 x MW C. W. SHANABERGER CUTTER HEAD FOR MINING MACHINES Filed March 1' 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i W lag Dec. 28 1926.

1 1,612,066 1 C. W. SHANABERGER CUTTER HEAD FOR MINING MACHINES Filed March 17, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 III/1m,

gnve'ntoo 1.. I; I ,7} (INS/100M158 Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

o rrEo arm Ltifititi CHARLES W. SHANABERGER, OF INDIANA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNC R OF TWO- THIRDS TO JOHN BARNES, OF PHILADELIHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CUTTER HEAD FOR llft'IIilIfElG FIACIEINES.

This invention relates to improvements in cutter heads for a mining machine and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character which will shear 5 the sides and out along the back of coal or the like to provide a block of coal in suspension whereby such block may be easily shot down thereby effecting a material saving in explosives and permitting a more uniform alignment of entries to be maintained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character which, when in applied position, is vertically disposed and provided with means at its upper end portion to provide the requisite top clearance.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character having extending outwardly therefrom at desired points therealong a plurality of pick points, said points being arranged and mounted in a manner to decrease the torsional inon'ient on the bar resulting in a decided power reduction due to a lesser width of cutting.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind with means whereby the same may be effectively lubricated and which also has for an object to provide a device of this general character which, when in working position is designed to withstand excessive strain so that the same may be readily employed in connection with the heavy work for which it is designed.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved cutter head for a mining machine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Thenovel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the ac- 50 companying drawings, wherein Figure l is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating a cutter head constructed in accordance with an embodimentof my l1 vention and in applied position;

- Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken throi'igh the cutter head and the structure immediately associated therewith, certain of the parts being in elevation;

Figure 3 is: a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l& of Figure 2;

Figure is a view in top plan of the revolving sprocket with which the cutter head is directly associated, said sprocket being unapplied; v c

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the plug for closing the central opening of the sprocket when the cutter head is removed;

Figure 7 is a view in top plan of the outer end portion of the cutter head proper;

Figure 8 is a view partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section of the structure illustrated in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view in section taken through the top casting carried by the outer end portion of the cutter head; 7

Figure 10 is a View in section taken through the lower casting of the cutter head as herein disclosed;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view looking at the side from the cut made by my improved device;

V Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view in front elevation of such cut.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, H denotes a horizontal cutting bar of the type now generally employed and which embodies a suitably driven endless member 1 provided with the outstanding cutting members 2, said endless member being disposed around a sprocket 3 comprised in the cutter head structure as herein embodied arranged at the outer end portion of the bar As herein set forth the cutter head comprises a lower casting A and an upper casting B which are maintained in desired assembled relation in a well known manner by the fastening elements 4. The lower casting A has that portion of its lower face underlying the sprocket 3 in the plane of the lower face of the out formed by the cutters 2 and has a rearward extension 5 to provide means whereby it is bolted at 6 or otherwise attached to the bar H. In the present instance, the casting A is shown as having a relatively large fiat faced lug A, the under surface of which bears against the face of the cut. The castings A and B when applied are provided with the registering openings 7 defined by the inwardly disposed and relatively short sleeves 8 whereby the castings A. and B provide effective mounting or bearing for the sprocket 3.

he sprocket 3 is provided with a tubular hub 9 extending beyond opposite sides of the sprocket 8 proper and snugly fitting within the liners 10 arranged in the openings 7. The lower end of the applied hub 9 is closed, as herein disclosed-,.by a permanent plate or head 11 the opposite end portion of the hub 9 being internally threaded as at 12.

The vertical cutter bar G which is of desired dimensions has one end portion eX- ternally threaded so that the same may be engaged within the bore of the hub 9 whereby said vertical cutter bar C is driven from such hub. It is to be noted that the end of the bar G inserted within the bore of the-hub 9 terminates at a desired point above the lower closed end of saidhub whereby a well or pocket 14 is provided to contain a supply of lubricant. The extent of insertion of the cutter bar C within the bore of the hub 9 is limited by the outstanding flange 15 carried by the bar C and providing an annular stop shoulder-for direct contact with the adjacent upper end of the hub 9.

The peripheral wall of the hub 9is provided with the outlet ports 16-leading from the well or pocket 14 providing means whereby the lower liner or bushing 10 may be effectively lubricated while the upper liner or bushing 10 has a lubricant delivered thereto by the pipe 17 leading from a suitable source of lubricant supply carried by the machine proper.

The lower or connected end portion of the cutter bar C has disposed therethrough a port 18 opening to the periphery of the bar outwardly of the flange 15 and discharging at substantially the axial center of the inserted end of the bar C whereby said port 18 provides afilling opening for the well or pocket 14.

When it is desired to use the horizontal cutting bar H alone, the bar C is removed and theupper open end of the hub 9 of the sprocket 3 closed: by a plug 19 (Figure 6) which threads within the open end portion of said hub.

The bar C is preferably cylindrical in form and has provided therethrough at desired point-s spaced longitudinally thereof, the radially directed openings 20 adjacent openings being herein disclosed as perpendicularly related although it is to be understood that they may be arranged at any angle desired. Extending within each of the openings 20 is an end portion of a pick 21 held in desired position by a set screw 22 threadedinto the bar C and having requisite direct Contact with the pick 21. The set screw 22 is preferably set at right angles to the coacting nick 21 and provides an easier adjustment. of the pick or replacement when necessary.

The sprocket 3 constitutes a heavy duty sprocket and is so constructed as to withstand torsional and bending stress due to the vertical cutting bar C.

In its upper end portion the bar G is provided with the openings 23 set at an angle with respect to the horizontal so that the picks 24 inserted therein will extend above the upper end of thebar C so as to make clearance for the top of the bar C during a working operation.- The picks 24 are symmetrically located excepting for the pick points 25 which are oppositely disposed. The picks 24 are held in applied position within the slots 23 by the set screws 26 which, as particularly illustrated in Figure 3, are off centersand opposite with reference to the center line of the pick slots.

It is of advantage to secure to the under face of the bottom casting A a dust cap 27 which closes the opening 7, said cap also housing the packing 28 to provide further means to check dust from working in around the liner or bushing 10 and the hub 9,

The alignment of the points of the picks 21 with respect. to the vertical will increase or decrease the duty on the bar C as well as on the transmitting units. Deviation from the bottom pick toward the center of the bar on each bar will reduce the power required.

When it is desired to remove the bar C, a spanner wrench or kindred implement may be engaged within an opening 20 and the machine proper reversed.

In practice, as the arm or bar H is forced inwardly of the coalor the like, the side out or shear a will be made by the bar 0 and as the machine is moved to effect the bottom cut I) the cutter bar C will also effect the rear or back out 0 and as the arm H is moved out wardly to the desired point a second side or shear (Z may be made. These various cuts result in a block 6 of coal or the like supported or suspended from the top. This block may be easily shot down and the desired breakage effected by relatively small shot. This results in a saving in explosives and permits a more uniform alignment of entries to be made. cutter bar provides its own top clearance due to the position of the picks 24 hereinbefore referred to. The picks 21 may be adjusted as desired to decrease the torsional moment on the-bar C as may be preferred.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a cutter head for a mining machine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled The vertically disposed llt) and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

1 claim 1. In combination with a horizontally disposed cutting arm of a mining machine relatively supported at its inner end to swing in a horizontal plane, cutting means travelling therealong to form a horizontal cut as the arm is swung, a vertically disposed cutter bar, means for supporting said bar from the outer end portion of the arm, said cutting means providing an operating means for the cutter bar whereby the cutter bar forms a vertical cut as the arm is swung, the lower face of the arm beneath the bar being in the plane of the lower face of the'cut formed by the cutters of the arm.

2. In combination with a horizontally disposed cutting arm of a mining machine relatively supported at its inner end to swing in a horizontal plane, a sprocket rotatably supported by the outer end portion of said arm and provided with a central hub, an endless series of cutting members coacting with the cutting arm providing a driving means for the sprocket, a vertically disposed cutter bar engaged within the hub of the sprocket, the under surface of the cutting arm having means engaging the lower face of the cut formed by the cutters of the cutting arm whereby the free end of the cutting arm is supported.

3. In combination with a horizontally disposed cutting arm of a mining machine, a sprocket rotatably supported by the outer end portion of said arm and provided with a central hub, an endless series of cutting members coacting with the cutting arm providing a driving means for the sprocket, a vertically disposed cutter bar engaged within the hub of the sprocket, the end portion'of the cutter bar inserted within the hub being spaced from the bottom of the hub, said. bottom of the hub being closed, the space between the inserted end of the cutter bar and the closed end 01" the hub providing an oil pocket, the wall of the hub having a port therethrough in communication with the pocket,

4. In combination with a horizontally disposed cutting arm of a mining machine, a sprocket rotatably supported by the outer end portion of said arm and provided with a central hub, an endless series of cutting members coacting with the cutting arm providing a driving means for the sprocket, a vertically disposed cutter bar engaged within the hub of the sprocket, the end portion of the cutter bar inserted within the hub being spaced from the bottom of the hub, said bottom of the hub being closed, the space between the inserted end of the cutter bar and the closed end of the hubproviding an oil pocket, the wall of the hub having a port therethrough in communication with the pocket, the cutter bar having ,a port therethrough in communication with said oil pocket to provide a filling opening.

5. In combination with a ho izontally swung cutting arm of a mining machine, driven cutting means travelling therealong whereby to form a horizontal cut as the arm is swung, and a vertically disposed cutter bar carried by said arm, said driven cutting means providing a driving means for the cutter bar whereby to form a vertically extending cut as the arm is swung, and means at the outer end of the cutting arm for supporting the cutting arm from the bottom of the out formed thereby.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

CHARLES W. SHANABERGER. 

